Sit down and join the circle Grit, most of us don't want Zus playing either.
- prd797

Hear is my biggest fear as a hawks fan, and it is not an I told you so. But after an early playoff exit, after a month or so, you will see people showing up here saying...How the Eff did we think Zus as 2C was not going to be an issue.

What the eff were we thinking? How the eff did Q think that this moronic tactic was going to equal anything positive towards winning another cup?

Again, hope I am wrong, but to overlook this decision as a critical one for the success of the team is a huge error.

No No...Pirri is 37.....just kidding ladies...just kidding.....

Pitt will be team to beat there this year in the east.

Some like to give Bylsma crap, but no coach has dealt with more frequent injuries and absenses of key players than he has, yet they still win and have success.

I think they are in a position to put it all together with everyone healthy.
- TrueGrit

I'll believe it when I see it. Two years running they have lost their composure and had complete melt-downs. They can be taken off their game, and whomever they play knows it; they will be tested again. They will have to prove they are mentally tough enough.

Lines: 23-19-20, 10-26-81, 29-65-88, 52-16-28. All righty then. Hey, it's been a while since we've had some
- Glenman12

I seriously think Q put all the names in a hat, shook them up, picked one at a time, and this is what he came up with.

I seriously think Q put all the names in a hat, shook them up, picked one at a time, and this is what he came up with.
- BearsnHawks

I suspect there's a method to his madness - whether his decisions are a particular fan's cup of tea is another matter.

As Saint pointed out earlier, this looks like one shut-down line and three scoring lines (with Toews' line also being another shut-down line). In addition, it seems that each line has some size and grit, and some speed/playmaking ability. Looks pretty balanced to me.

The Blues defense group is excellent, but like any team it won't want its third pair on the ice with one of those three scoring lines. The real goal, I suspect, is to isolate one or two of the Blues forward lines against one of the three Hawks scoring lines as often as possible. Another goal is to have four lines capable of wearing down the Blues with fast play over the course of the series.

Of course, Q might just be messing with his buddy Hitch with these practice lines...

I suspect there's a method to his madness - whether his decisions are a particular fan's cup of tea is another matter.

As Saint pointed out earlier, this looks like one shut-down line and three scoring lines (with Toews' line also being another shut-down line). In addition, it seems that each line has some size and grit, and some speed/playmaking ability. Looks pretty balanced to me.

The Blues defense group is excellent, but like any team it won't want its third pair on the ice with one of those three scoring lines. The real goal, I suspect, is to isolate one or two of the Blues forward lines against one of the three Hawks scoring lines as often as possible. Another goal is to have four lines capable of wearing down the Blues with fast play over the course of the series.

Of course, Q might just be messing with his buddy Hitch with these practice lines...
- mohel

Where is the size on line 1?

I'll get us started then.
I'm listening to UFO, Strangers In The Night while reading our Hockey Bible here.....
- Studebakerhawk

Best live album ever!

Where is the size on line 1?
- BearsnHawks

Saad and Cap'n Toes are both strong on the puck.

Hear is my biggest fear as a hawks fan, and it is not an I told you so. But after an early playoff exit, after a month or so, you will see people showing up here saying...How the Eff did we think Zus as 2C was not going to be an issue.

What the eff were we thinking? How the eff did Q think that this moronic tactic was going to equal anything positive towards winning another cup?

Again, hope I am wrong, but to overlook this decision as a critical one for the success of the team is a huge error.
- TrueGrit

But the now crowd will tell you that he's their best option.

Fact is, he isn't an option. He's old, he's slow, and his career is over. So instead, they'll play him and hope he can win a few faceoffs and completely empty his tank and catch lightning in a bottle a 2nd time in 2 years, and then be shocked when they can't.

I'm pretty sure the Hawks don't lose a helluva lot with Toews-Smith/Shaw-Smith/Shaw-Kruger vs Toews-Handzus-Shaw-Kruger in the lineup...with a Regin, or Morin getting into the lineup.

Against STL it won't be as obvious as Handzus will be able to keep up with the slower Blues. However, if they meet the Avs in the 2nd round, they better attach a GPS on this camel's back, because he wont' be anywhere to be found on the screen.

I won't lie....when I saw on twitter that Handzus took a puck to the face, went down, left the ice...I was hoping he was out. Sadly, this guy wont' die and returned.

And now...he'll score Thursday night...because that always happens.

Where is the size on line 1?
- BearsnHawks

Saad was on that, right? He'll be the size. The "normal" line one has often been Saad-Toews-Kane/Hossa - same amount of size on that line.

Saad and Cap'n Toes are both strong on the puck.
- prd797

I was asking about size, not being strong on the puck. Who is going to keep the bullies of the Blues honest with Toews, if that is the top line?

Best live album ever!
- HawkintheD

I haven't listened to it in years, but you are correct - that was a great live album.

I was asking about size, not being strong on the puck. Who is going to keep the bullies of the Blues honest with Toews, if that is the top line?
- BearsnHawks

Oh those mean bullies, how will the Hawks ever beat a heavy team?

Saad was on that, right? He'll be the size. The "normal" line one has often been Saad-Toews-Kane/Hossa - same amount of size on that line.
- mohel

During the regular season I would agree with you. Last playoffs it was Kane/Toews/Bickell. They were especially effective against the Kings and Bruins (physical teams).

Best live album ever!
- HawkintheD

Genesis, seconds out

I was asking about size, not being strong on the puck. Who is going to keep the bullies of the Blues honest with Toews, if that is the top line?
- BearsnHawks

If it gets too ugly you always have the D men

I was asking about size, not being strong on the puck. Who is going to keep the bullies of the Blues honest with Toews, if that is the top line?
- BearsnHawks

We all know these lines may not even make it through the 1st period.

Q's way of breaking up his scoring, and forcing Hitchcock to make adjustments. The chess game is on.

Again, the only line Q didn't tinker with is the Kruger-Smith-Bolig line which tells me they will be drawing a top line of STL.

Best live album ever!
- HawkintheD

Great indeed, but Get Your Ya Yas Out....my fave.

But the now crowd will tell you that he's their best option.

Fact is, he isn't an option. He's old, he's slow, and his career is over. So instead, they'll play him and hope he can win a few faceoffs and completely empty his tank and catch lightning in a bottle a 2nd time in 2 years, and then be shocked when they can't.

I'm pretty sure the Hawks don't lose a helluva lot with Toews-Smith/Shaw-Smith/Shaw-Kruger vs Toews-Handzus-Shaw-Kruger in the lineup...with a Regin, or Morin getting into the lineup.

Against STL it won't be as obvious as Handzus will be able to keep up with the slower Blues. However, if they meet the Avs in the 2nd round, they better attach a GPS on this camel's back, because he wont' be anywhere to be found on the screen.

I won't lie....when I saw on twitter that Handzus took a puck to the face, went down, left the ice...I was hoping he was out. Sadly, this guy wont' die and returned.

And now...he'll score Thursday night...because that always happens.
- SteveRain

The Blues will come out looking to blast the Hawks out of the rink and if necessary take the game into the ditch, which is about the only way they can win this series. They won't win on speed and skill. So if you are lucky, Zus gets banged up and is out. But he may also trip and fall down on top of somebody like Pietrangelo or Oshie or Steen and knock them out of the series.

But the now crowd will tell you that he's their best option.

Fact is, he isn't an option. He's old, he's slow, and his career is over. So instead, they'll play him and hope he can win a few faceoffs and completely empty his tank and catch lightning in a bottle a 2nd time in 2 years, and then be shocked when they can't.

I'm pretty sure the Hawks don't lose a helluva lot with Toews-Smith/Shaw-Smith/Shaw-Kruger vs Toews-Handzus-Shaw-Kruger in the lineup...with a Regin, or Morin getting into the lineup.

Against STL it won't be as obvious as Handzus will be able to keep up with the slower Blues. However, if they meet the Avs in the 2nd round, they better attach a GPS on this camel's back, because he wont' be anywhere to be found on the screen.

I won't lie....when I saw on twitter that Handzus took a puck to the face, went down, left the ice...I was hoping he was out. Sadly, this guy wont' die and returned.

And now...he'll score Thursday night...because that always happens.
- SteveRain

You could very well be right, and Q could very well be wrong. But they have more options (like those you and others suggest) than they had a year ago, imo. And Q has shown that he will make changes in the playoffs if things don't go well (although I do find funny that the board thinks he's too stubborn AND changes things too often).

I haven't listened to it in years, but you are correct - that was a great live album.
- mohel

Deep Purple - Made In Japan \m/

We all know these lines may not even make it through the 1st period.

Q's way of breaking up his scoring, and forcing Hitchcock to make adjustments. The chess game is on.

Again, the only line Q didn't tinker with is the Kruger-Smith-Bolig line which tells me they will be drawing a top line of STL.
- SteveRain

Yup.

We all know these lines may not even make it through the 1st period.

Q's way of breaking up his scoring, and forcing Hitchcock to make adjustments. The chess game is on.

Again, the only line Q didn't tinker with is the Kruger-Smith-Bolig line which tells me they will be drawing a top line of STL.
- SteveRain

Good point on the Krugman line; I think it'll be Toews' line mostly, but Q will be okay with both of them against Backes. Not changing that line reinforces the point that Bollig is not going to sit.

The Blues will come out looking to blast the Hawks out of the rink and if necessary take the game into the ditch, which is about the only way they can win this series. They won't win on speed and skill. So if you are lucky, Zus gets banged up and is out. But he may also trip and fall down on top of somebody like Pietrangelo or Oshie or Steen and knock them out of the series.
- RickJ

This has been said over and over again, but teams that focus on that against the Hawks go home. Hitting and chasing is pretty damn tiring, so I'd say bring it on....

It's great to be free again.

I'd just like to thank everyone for their support (except you Beav, not much love from you ) during this difficult time in my life. I'm especially grateful to those of you that took the time and effort to keep me company through PM's.

I maintain my innocence and refuse to admit any wrong doing. You have my word that I will not allow this blatant overreach of authority to in any way temper or censor my posting style, and I will continue to doggedly agitate the opposition at every opportunity.

-Ogi

This has been said over and over again, but teams that focus on that against the Hawks go home. Hitting and chasing is pretty damn tiring, so I'd say bring it on....
- mohel

Agree 100% but the Blues can't allow a skating game either or they are toast.

I prefer to think of the Hawks as a team that can play it anyway you want and kick your butt. Just like the great Islander and Canadiens teams could.